My current stance on “AI”

So called “artificial intelligence” (really large language models (LLMs) and similar machine learning technologies) are all the rage lately.

Let me be clear right up front: I believe in the immense potential of these technologies. In this way, I am not a Luddite. We should continue to invest responsibly in R&D for this tech.

However.

I am strongly skeptical of the current hype and its related applications of the technology. I feel that the companies responsible for most of these “AI” tools released their products without due consideration for the harms that they can and do cause. Instead, they pushed the tools out to market to create and then immensely profit from the “AI” bubble.

The externalities of these technologies cannot be ignored without great harm to our society and environment. I cannot be complicit in this harm.

Whenever possible, I will choose not to use these technologies until or unless I can verify that they take these externalities into account: they are not trained on stolen copyrighted materials, they take environmental impact into account, and they have guards in place to minimise (and ideally prevent) misuse.

Furthermore, in my professional life I will work to guide organisational strategies such that these externalities are considered along with business and operational needs and included in any calculations in developing strategies and tactics.